Anyone else have world-building issues? No matter how hard I try, I always wind up doing so much character and plot building that I totally ignore the universe the story is set in.

I have so much trouble focusing on those kinds of details. Anyone have any good exercises or games for improving that? Simple and fun, preferably, because the more in-depth it is the less I can focus on it..

@rhetoric I know what you mean, I'm always so jealous of those who can think up these worlds full of rules and elaborate cultures.. I haven't heard of any such excercises. I have a book somewhere that I refer to when I'm stuck with any area of writing so I'll dig that out later and see if I find anything :)

I like these questions, I think I'm going to use them to help with my world-building. They're from this website: http://www.poewar.com/creating-a-believable-world/

Is the New World predominantly like the one we currently live in? Is it different? How is it different?What is the environment like on your New World? Is the air quality good? Is the air polluted? Is there an Ozone layer? Do civilizations live in protected environments? How are these environments constructed? How are these environments controlled?Is there water on your world?How does the sun rise? How does it set? In fact, is there a sun?What are the life-sustaining factors of your world?What is the nature of your society? For example, is it predominantly agrarian or is it technological? Is it modeled after a real civilization that once lived on this earth? If it is, research everything you can about that civilization. It will help you decide what is similar and what is different. If the world is technological, to what degree?Is your world contemporary, futuristic or alternatively historical? If it is futuristic, is it far-futuristic or near-futuristic.What year does your story take place in?What calendar does your civilization observe? In fact does it even observe a calendar?What seasons exist in the realm?What is the plant life like in your realm? In fact is there any plant life?What is the style of clothing worn?What currencies are used?What mode of transportation is used? If you are inventing one, how does it function? Is it petrol powered? Solar powered? Powered by another source? Describe the source in detail.Does the military exist in your world? How is the military structured?What is the hierarchy in the elected officials of the realm? Are there elected officials in the realm? Is it a monarchy? A democracy? Do elders exist in the community? What role do they play? Is there a hierarchy that is adhered to with these individuals?If you are inventing new races of life forms, be prepared to make detailed notes about their societies as well.How do people communicate with each other? Is communication verbal?Are there computers on the world? Are they the same as here?Do people read and write?Does telepathy exist?What is the same in the New World as in this world?What is different?How do people celebrate?How do people grieve?How are the young in society treated?How are the elderly in society treated?What is the average life span of your characters?What is the diet on your New World?And anything and everything else you can think of about your New World.

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